Port River Pool: proposal stranded

No positive progress for the pool was made at the City of Port Adelaide Enfield’s August 12th meeting, when Council considered the Stage 2 Feasibility Study for the proposed Port River Swimming Facility.

It was disappointing to FPR that Council decided against lending in-principle support, instead deferring any further consideration to some unknown future time when the State Government might undertake master planning with the Council for Cruickshank’s Corner. The Council meeting gave no indication that the pool, or the development of open space at Cruikshank’s Corner, were priority projects.

After seeing the recommendations to Council last Friday (in Council’s Agenda papers) FPR wrote to the Mayor and all Councillors encouraging them to

1. embrace the potential benefits for the Port River, the City and the community from supporting the Port River as a ‘swimmable river’, joining communities globally from the Parramatta River, Sydney, Birrarung/Yarra, Melbourne to Seine, Paris
2. respond to the lack of open space and community facilities for new residents, by developing open space on Council land at Cruickshank’s Corner
3. explore tripartite funding with the Federal and State Governments, as outlined in the Stage 2 Feasibility Study, for the development of open space, the pool and amenities
4. recognise re insurance that Councils from NSW to WA, and locally such as Port Lincoln, Edithburgh and Wallaroo successfully operate coastal/river pools

The recommendations accepted by Council were:

1. The report of the Director Corporate Services titled “Friends of Port River – Proposed Swimming Facility for Cruickshanks Corner” be received.
2. The Friends of Port River’s feasibility study the ‘Proposed Swimming Facility for Cruickshank’s Corner, Port River’ is received and noted.
3. It acknowledges the Friends of Port River’s advocacy for the tidal pool and congratulates them on the standard of the scoping and Feasibility Study.
4. It is noted that the cost estimates for the proposal as contained in the Feasibility Study are an underestimation as they:
   a. exclude the infrastructure costs of ancillary public amenities and supporting infrastructure required to service such a facility; and
   b. do not factor in the cost of public insurance risks and liabilities that need to be factored into the construction and operating costs for such a facility
5. Given the current pipeline of approved priority capital infrastructure projects in Council’s long term financial plan, that Council does not commit to the delivery of this proposal as a standalone project.
6. Future consideration of the merits of this proposal by Council, including full costings should be undertaken in the context of future master planning for the Cruickshank’s Corner site and as part of Council’s long-term financial planning. Noting that any inclusion of a tidal pool in the masterplan would need to reconsider how such a pool fits into the future design and functioning of the overall site.
7. Note that the master planning for Cruickshank’s Corner will be a joint project with State Government and the timing and scope of the project is subject to ongoing discussions with State Government.

After five years of volunteer work on this project, and the online survey for the Study showing very strong community support, it seems stronger demonstrations of community interest and support are needed for Council to prioritise the pool.

What can community members do?

Here are four suggestions:

If you swim in the Port River then share your photos and experiences online, including in City of PAE.

Ask the Mayor and Councillors

1. how is Council seeking to engage the State Government to undertake master planning at Cruickshank’s Corner?
2. what are the capital infrastructure projects in Council’s long term financial plan, and why are they of higher priority than the pool?
3. what open space and community infrastructure will be available to new and incoming residents in Port Adelaide?
4. what community infrastructure is the Council seeking to have the Federal Government support (via infrastructure or housing funds) with the new housing developments in the Port?

Community members might care to form an informal Port River swimming club to connect people for swims in the River and to advocate for a pool. While it’s very possible to swim from the proposed pool site (see water quality and sediment tests) it would be helpful to remove some of the rocks, that have been displaced from the rock wall onto the beach, and which can host Pacific oysters and Razorfish, with their sharp shells.

Council elections are due in November 2026, providing an opportunity for community members to check with candidates if they support the pool.